Practical Project Management - Complete Guide

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This Specialization provides a complete, practical guide to modern project management, combining both PMP/PMI and Agile approaches with real-world examples, interactive exercises, and proven project management tools. Learners will develop the skills to plan, manage, and deliver successful projects, while also building the communication, leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving capabilities needed to lead people effectively. Through five complementary courses, learners will discover how to select the right project management methodology, avoid common project pitfalls, manage stakeholders and teams, and apply project management principles confidently in a wide range of business environments. Taught by internationally recognised project management experts Chris Croft, Doug Rose, and Bonnie Biafore, the Specialization focuses on practical techniques that can be applied immediately to real projects.

Syllabus

Course 1: Project Management Fundamentals
Course 2: Comparing Agile vs Waterfall Project Management
Course 3: Project Management for Non Project Managers - PMP/PMI
Course 4: Project Management: Interactive Problem Solving
Course 5: Project Management: Soft Skills for Project Managers

Courses

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Taught by project management experts Chris Croft and Doug Rose, the course brings together decades of experience in both Agile and Waterfall (PMI) methodologies. Through engaging discussions, real-world examples, and practical insights, learners explore the key differences between Agile and Waterfall, including planning, cost, flexibility, stakeholder involvement, risk management, and project delivery. Choosing the right project management approach can have a major impact on the success of a project. Yet one of the most common questions organisations face is whether Agile or Waterfall is the better solution. This course provides a practical, balanced comparison of both approaches, helping learners understand where each method excels, where it struggles, and how to make the right choice for different types of projects. Rather than teaching the fundamentals of each methodology, the course focuses on helping professionals evaluate and compare them in a practical business context. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of which approach is best suited to different project environments and how to avoid common misconceptions surrounding both methods. Ideal for project managers, team leaders, and decision-makers involved in project delivery, this course provides the knowledge needed to make more informed project management choices and improve project outcomes.
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This practical and engaging course provides a clear, step-by-step introduction to project management using proven industry-standard techniques. Taught by internationally recognised trainer Chris Croft, the course follows a real project from start to finish, showing exactly how project management tools and processes are applied in practice. Learners will discover how to plan projects effectively, create Gantt charts and PERT diagrams, manage risks, control budgets, coordinate teams, and keep stakeholders informed and engaged. Project management is one of the most valuable skills in business. Whether you're launching a new product, implementing a major change programme, delivering a client project, or organising a small internal initiative, the ability to plan, organise, and deliver successful outcomes is essential. Unlike many project management courses, the focus is on simplicity and practical application rather than complex theory. Through real-world examples, hands-on exercises, and easy-to-use templates, participants will gain the confidence to manage projects of any size, regardless of industry or prior experience. Ideal for new and aspiring project managers, team leaders, and professionals involved in delivering projects, this course provides a practical foundation for planning, managing, and successfully delivering projects on time and within budget.
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Taught by internationally recognised project management expert Chris Croft, this course uses real-world examples & practical tools to demonstrate how successful project managers plan, organise, and deliver projects. You will be introduced to the core principles of the PMP® project management framework, including project planning, risk management, stakeholder engagement, budgeting, scheduling, and team leadership. Effective projects are rarely the result of luck. More often, they succeed because common mistakes are identified and avoided before they become costly problems. This practical course helps you master the fundamentals of project management by exploring the 10 most common mistakes that cause projects to fail (e.g run late or over budget). Rather than focusing on theory alone, the course provides practical techniques that can be applied immediately to projects of any size. Participants will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, improve project performance, and make better decisions throughout the project lifecycle. Ideal for project managers, team leaders, and professionals responsible for delivering projects, this course provides a clear and practical foundation for achieving better project outcomes and building confidence in project delivery.
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This highly practical and interactive course takes a unique approach to developing project management skills. Created by leading project management experts Bonnie Biafore and Chris Croft, it places learners directly into realistic project scenarios and challenges them to decide what to do next. Project management rarely goes exactly to plan. The real challenge is not creating schedules or tracking tasks — it’s solving problems when people, priorities, and unexpected issues threaten to derail a project. Through a series of engaging role-play exercises, participants experience the kinds of situations project managers face every day, from managing difficult stakeholders and demanding customers to handling supplier issues, team conflicts, and competing priorities. Each scenario is designed to build practical decision-making and problem-solving skills. Learners make choices, see the consequences unfold, and explore alternative approaches in a safe learning environment. The result is a highly engaging experience that develops confidence, judgement, and the ability to respond effectively when projects encounter challenges. Ideal for project managers, team leaders, and anyone responsible for delivering projects, this course helps turn project management theory into practical action through realistic, hands-on learning.
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This practical and engaging course focuses on the essential soft skills that every project manager needs to succeed. Taught by world leading Project Management instructor Chris Croft, the course brings together proven techniques in assertiveness, influencing, customer care, selling, negotiation, leadership, communication, and self-improvement. Each topic is delivered through short, actionable videos packed with practical tips that can be applied immediately. Successful project management is about much more than plans, schedules, and budgets. The projects that succeed are usually led by people who can communicate effectively, influence stakeholders, negotiate solutions, and motivate teams to deliver results. Designed specifically for project managers, the course explores the people side of project delivery. Learners will develop the confidence to handle difficult conversations, manage stakeholder expectations, build stronger relationships, influence decisions, and lead teams more effectively. The course also provides practical tools for improving communication, resolving conflicts, and maintaining positive customer relationships throughout a project lifecycle. Whether you are new to project management or an experienced professional looking to strengthen your leadership and communication skills, this course will help you become a more effective, influential, and successful project manager.